Tooth Alignment and Your Oral Health

The way your teeth bite together has a huge impact on your smile’s health. While most people tend to think about braces for cosmetic reasons, the real benefits go much deeper.

Straightening a person’s teeth in their teens and early 20s helps establish a healthy, functional occlusion (bite) that will last as long as possible. Here’s why

Crooked Teeth are More Likely to Get Cavities

It’s hard to keep teeth clean but it’s even more challenging to care for the ones that are crooked. Flossing may seem physically possible, but it won’t be able to reach all of the areas that you need to. In clinical studies, crowded teeth tend to have much higher rates of tooth decay.

Crowding is Linked with Gum Disease

Teeth that are tightly positioned against one another or leaning out of place are usually the ones with higher levels of biofilm between them and under the gums. Even if you have good oral hygiene habits, misaligned teeth will be a challenge to keep healthy.

Misaligned Bites Cause Irregular Wear

Teeth are shaped in such a way that they can grind against one another thousands of times without wearing down. However, when teeth bite in an end-to-end nature, the enamel is so strong that it will damage the tooth opposing it. As a result, both teeth start to flatten and chip away.

Malocclusion is Linked to TMJ Disorder

A misaligned bite means that your teeth don’t bite and chew efficiently. As a result, your jaw has to move in atypical patterns. Over time, the muscles and ligaments around your TMJ will start to suffer. Getting braces early can help to prevent temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

When is the Best Time to Get Braces?

Early intervention and bite alignment is best before complications start to develop. The majority of our patients start orthodontic treatment during their teens or early 20s. However, Phase I braces can start as young as 7 years old. If you’re a busy parent or recent retiree, we have options for you too!

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Please keep in mind that communications via email over the internet are not secure. Although it is unlikely, there is a possibility that information you include in an email can be intercepted and read by other parties or unauthorized individuals. Please do not include personal identifying information such as your birth date, or personal medical information in any emails you send to us. Communication via our website cannot replace the relationship you have with a physician or another healthcare practitioner.

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